Security sensors

• US 4,912,331 A
• Filed: 03/06/1989
• Issued: 03/27/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Racal-Guardata Limited
• Original Assignee: Racal-Guardata Limited
• Inventors: Owers, Ian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIELDS, CAROLYN
• Application Number:
  US07/320,080
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 250/342, 250/353
• US Class Current: 250/353
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/08 with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens diffractive Fresnel lenses G02B5/1876
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

A system for locating zones defined by Fresnel lens segments or mirror facets of an optical arrangement in a passive infra-red security sensor uses a prism sheet which deflects light emitted by an LED mounted to the circuit board adjacent the infra-red sensitive detector so that it follows the path of infra-red radiation that would be focused onto the element of the detector without the prism sheet present.

Claims

1. A security sensor system comprising

a passive infra-red radiation sensor defining one or more zones of protection, the sensor comprising an infra-red radiation detector and optical arrangement including one or more optical segments by which infra-red radiation from the zone or zones of protection is directed onto the detector, and the system further comprising location means for locating one or more of the zones, the location means comprising

a light source disposed adjacent to the detector whereby light from the light source is directed by an optical segment or optical segments of the optical arrangement and removable prism means for aligning the optical path of light from the light source with at least one zone of protection.

2. A security sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical arrangement has more than one optical segment and the prism means aligns the optical path of light from the light source with each respective zone of protection.

3. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each optical segment of the optical arrangement is a Fresnel lens segment.

4. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the passive infra-red sensor has a window and the or each Fresnel lens segment is formed in or overlaid on the window.

5. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each segment of the optical arrangement comprises a mirror segment of a reflecting optical arrangement.

6. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prism means comprises a sheet formed with an array of prisms, each prism corresponding to a respective optical segment of the optical arrangement.

7. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prism means comprises a sheet formed with a single prism.

8. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the prism or prisms are formed as a moulding of plastics sheet material.

9. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prism means is made of, or includes coloured material.

10. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prism means is made of an infra-red radiation opaque material.

11. A security sensor system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passive infra-red sensor has a removable cover, and the prism means, when positioned to align the optical path of light from the light source, prevents installation of the cover.

12. A security sensor system comprising,

a passive infra-red radiation sensor defining one or more zones of protection, the sensor comprising an infra-red radiation detector and an optical arrangement including one or more optical segments by which infra-red radiation from the zone or zones of protection is directed onto the detector, and location means including a light source disposed adjacent the detector whereby light from the light source is directed by an optical segment or segments of the optical arrangement, and removable prism means for aligning the optical path of light from the light source with at least one zone of protection, the removable prism means being disposed in the optical path on the opposite side of the optical arrangement from the light source.

13. A method of locating at least one zone of protection defined by a passive infra-red radiation sensor comprising an infra-red radiation detector and an optical arrangement having one or more optical segments by which infra-red radiation from the respective zone or zones is directed onto the detector, the method comprising the steps of activating a light source disposed adjacent the detector, positioning prism means in relation to the optical arrangement so that light from the light source is aligned with at least one of the zones of protection and viewing the light aligned with the zone or zones.